Dal Colle’s hot start catching eyes

A quick start to the season can go a long way in a player’s quest to climb draft rankings in his eligible season — a fact Oshawa Generals center Michael Dal Colle is taking advantage of.

Dal Colle’s season got off to a quick start as a member of Canada’s entry at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial, recording two goals and four points in five games en route to a gold medal finish.

The 6-foot-2, 180-pound pivot parlayed that momentum into his Ontario Hockey League season, racking up four goals and 10 points in only five games.

The offensive dynamo however has been picking defenses apart for longer than a couple weeks, though. Dal Colle played a full OHL season last year with the Generals, recording 15 goals and 43 points in 63 games.

His play last season and quick start this year has shown obvious skill in the top prospect, while Dal Colle’s shear determination and compete level is extremely impressive to Future Considerations’ OHL head scout Jedd Jones.

“A strong skater with a lot of offensive skill, Dal Colle is dynamic in the offensive zone, making smart plays with or without the puck,” Jones said. “He has a high hockey IQ and competes hard every shift. These characteristics combine to make him dangerous every time he steps on the ice.”

But the 17-year-old isn’t without his flaws.

According to Jones, the knock on Dal Colle comes despite his impressive frame.

“He could add more physicality and grit to his game to complement his skill set,” Jones said.

Weaving a physicality component into his game surely is something Dal Colle is capable of and doing so would be key in advancing up draft rankings. He currently holds down the sixth overall spot in Future Considerations’ October ranking for the 2014 NHL Draft.

Although the torrid pace he set for himself may not be sustainable, at the very least it’s shown that last season was no fluke, and his rank is more than deserved.